SAN FRANCISCO URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES Planning Commission Informational 20 October 2016
WHAT ARE DESIGN GUIDELINES? Design Guidelines are implementation documents for city design policies and objectives. They partner with planning code to shape new development. They consist of general principles of design excellence and neighborhood compatibility to improve the way new projects will look and work.
WHAT WILL THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES DO?»» Reinforce a set of existing citywide policies, goals, and values The General Plan The Urban Design Element The Commerce and Industry Element Area Plans City Policy Better Streets Transit-First
WHAT WILL THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES DO? Reinforce a set of existing citywide policies, goals, and values»» Synthesize and consolidate existing applicable policies and guidelines Existing Design Guidance By Use By Type From Area Plans From Neighborhoods
WHAT WILL THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES DO? Reinforce a set of existing citywide policies, goals, and values What are the UDGs?»» Synthesize and consolidate existing applicable policies and guidelines Promote design excellence and compatibility with context for new projects
WHAT WILL THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES DO? Reinforce a set of existing citywide policies, goals, and values What are the UDGs?»» Synthesize and consolidate existing applicable policies and guidelines Promote design excellence and compatibility with context for new projects Improve the design review process for everyone by creating a common language
WHAT THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES NOT DO? Change affordable housing requirement Add height Change parking maximums Change allowable uses Specify an architectural style
WHO WILL USE THEM? The Planning Commission Planning Department staff Community groups The public Project sponsors Design teams
WHEN WILL THEY GET APPLIED? During the design review process prior to seeking Commission approval During project authorizations and permit review within Sections 309, 312, and 329 Following via conditions of approval, the discretionary review process, post-entitlement revision, or addendum approvals.
WHY CREATE THEM? Over 30 sets of design guidelines already exist and are: Redundant or inconsistently applied Indirect, vague, or simply outdated Lacking relevant examples Lacking consistency and a clear regulatory authority
U WHERE WILL THEY APPLY? Residential Design Guidelines Residential districts: RH, RM, RTO Urban Design Guidelines Mixed-use, Neighborhood Commercial, and Downtown Public land and PDR RHRMRTOPDR Zoning RH-, RMDistricts and RTO(excluding ZoningRH-, Districts RM-, RTO-, PDR-, and P) Residential, House Character Districts Residential, Mixed Districts Residential Transit-Oriented Districts Production, Distribution, & Repair Districts 2 Miles
WHEN WOULD THE UDGs AND RDGs APPLY ON THE SAME SITE? The RDGs will continue to apply in R districts Both would apply in R districts for larger projects or non-residential uses The UDGs would apply to all commercial and mixed-use districts NC3 RH2 RH2 EXAMPLE SITE: School, church, planned unit development more than 6 units or 150 frontage
WHAT IS THE UDGs RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING GUIDELINES? All other existing guidelines will continue to apply. Once adopted, the Department intends to work with neighborhood groups to revise how existing guidelines fit with the UDG framework.
What are the currently proposed guidelines? Site Design S1 S2 Recognize and Respond to Urban Patterns Harmonize the Visual and Physical Relationships between Existing Buildings, Streets, and Open Spaces S3 Intentionally Define and Integrate Open Space S4 Respect Natural Systems and Features S5 Create or Support View Corridors S6 Recognize and Enhance Local Variations S7 Create a Defined and Active Streetwall S8 Connect Landscape and Architecture S9 Design Site to Enhance the Pedestrian Environment Architecture A1 Express a Clear Organizing Architectural Idea A2 Modulate Buildings Vertically and Horizontally A3 Render Building Facades with Texture and Depth A4 Harmonize Building Designs with Neighboring Scale and Materials A5 Design Buildings from Multiple Vantage Points A6 Finish the Roofs of Buildings A7 Design Active Building Fronts A8 Coordinate Building Elements Public Realm P1 Design Open Spaces to Complement Surrounding Streets and Buildings P2 Connect Open Spaces to the Public Realm P3 Program Public Open Spaces to Encourage Activity and Rest P4 Express Neighborhood Character in the Design of Open Space P5 Design Sidewalks to Enhance the Pedestrian and Transit Environment P6 Integrate Trees and Plants into the Public Realm
How will they work? GUIDELINE RANGE OF MEANS RATIONALE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
Why do the draft guidelines show mostly new buildings? As older buildings were built very differently, staff selected more recent examples to help contemporary designers understand guideline intent. Staff intend to more robustly include what is beloved in older buildings and suggest how it can be adapted to current practice.
How will the UDGs support each neighborhood s special character? These guidelines support neighborhood uniqueness: S7 A4 P3 Recognize and Enhance Local Variations Harmonize Building Designs with Neighboring Scale and Materials Express Neighborhood Character in Open Space Designs
How will the UDGs help new projects fit into my neighborhood? These guidelines require neighborhood compatibility: S1 A2 P1 Recognize and Respond to Urban Patterns Modulate Buildings Vertically and Horizontally Design Public Open Spaces to Connect with and Complement the Streetscape
How will the UDGs encourage good design? Guidelines that support good design practice: S2 A1 P6 Harmonize Relationships between Buildings, Streets, and Open Spaces Express a Clear, Organizing Architectural Idea Locate and Design Open Space to Maximize Physical Comfort and Visual Access
Will there be a way to waive an individual guideline? A waiver would allow potential solutions to a design that cannot yet be anticipated or for a community request that would conflict with a guideline. Such a waiver would only be granted by the Planning Commission, appealable to the Board of Supervisors.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO CREATE THE UDGS? STEP 1 Study Existing Policy Design Review Staff developed initial content from existing policies and design guideline documents and internal review. Planning Commission Informational: January 21, 2016
HOW DID THE FIRST DRAFT GET CREATED? ITS EXISTING POLICY ORIGINS: EXAMPLE GUIDELINE: A2 Modulate Buildings Vertically and Horizontally Originating policy will be referenced in future drafts. Urban Design Element Human scale can be retained if new buildings, even large ones, avoid the appearance of massiveness by maintaining established building lines Commerce and Industry Element When new buildings are constructed on large lots, the facades should be designed in a series of elements which are compatible with the existing scale of the district. Downtown Plan As a general rule, facades composed of both vertical and horizontal elements fit better with older as well as most new facades Western SoMa SUD Provide strong, repeating vertical articulation on new buildings to achieve visual harmony and sustain pedestrian interest and activity. Market-Octavia Area Plan Building façades that face the public realm should be articulated with a strong rhythm of regular vertical elements.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO CREATE THE UDGS? STEP 2 Advisory Group Staff worked with an external advisory group of planning, design, and land use professionals and community members to assure inclusion and comprehension of existing policies and best practices.
WHO IS IN THE ADVISORY GROUP? Architects / Designers David Baker Architects Fougeron Architecture Gast Architects Gehl Gonzales Architects Handel Architects IwamotoScott Architecture John Schessinger, Architect Long & Levit Mark English Architects Mithun/Solomon Natoma Architects Pfau Long RG Architecture Schwartz and Architecture Skidmore Owings Merrill SITELAB urban studio Surface Design Outside of San Francisco Ehrenkrantz Eckstut (NYC) Environmental Simulation Center (NYC) Former Design Commission Chair x 2 (Portland) Public Agencies SF Department of Building Inspection Former SF Planning Department staff SF Heritage SF Historic Preservation Commission x 2 SF Office of Community Investment & Infrastructure SF Planning Commission x 2 SF Environment Development Alexandria Real Estate Build Inc. Lennar Urban Prado Group Strada Investment Group Trumark Urban Public Groups / Institutions AIA Working Group Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association Livable City Potrero Boosters SPUR TODCO Group
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO CREATE THE UDGS? STEP 3 Neighborhood Organization Meetings Staff meets with interested groups, discusses progress, and collects comments for guideline development. Planning Commission Informational: October 20, 2016 Community Working Sessions Fall/Winter 2016: Staff holds community workshops to revise guidelines Winter 2016/Spring 2017: Staff collect and incorporate final comments.
WHICH GROUPS HAVE STAFF MET WITH? Previous meetings Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association Golden Gate Tenants Association Middle Polk Neighborhood Association Miraloma Park Improvement Club Pacific Avenue Neighborhood Association Pacific Heights Association of Neighbors Russian Hill Neighbors Telegraph Hill Dwellers Planned meetings Dolores Heights Improvement Club Potrero Boosters Victorian Alliance Japantown Neighborhood Association Anticipated meetings Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association Liberty Hill Neighborhood Association Cow Hollow Neighborhood Association
HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED? Join a working session: November 16 at 6:00 PM SF Planning 1650 Mission Street, 4th Floor Check back for December workshop date Provide feedback: Review the draft Urban Design Guidelines and sign up for updates: http://sf-planning.org/urban-design-guidelines Questions and comments to: Anne Brask at anne.brask@sfgov.org Proposed Planning Commission Adoption: 2017